Exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising device is provided in which two platforms are pivotally mounted on a support frame for individual angular movement about respective pairs of transverse axes, and in which the two platforms are pivotally interconnected through a universal coupling joint so as to provide limited radial movement of the platforms, limited up and down movement, limited lateral and diagonal movement, and any combinations thereof, for more effective exercising and slimming of the person using the device, particularly at the waist area.

United States Patent 11 1 Simmons 1451 Sept. 25, 1973 1 EXERCISING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Clarence C. Simmons, 1722 N.

V Winona, Apt. 203, Los Angeles,

Calif. 90027 22 Filed: Feb. 24, 1971 21 7 Appl. No.: 118,242

US. Cl.

[52] 272/58 [51 1 Int. Cl A63b 23/02 [58] Field of Search 272/57 R, 57 A, 58; 128/25 R, 25 B, 45, 46, 57, 70-74 [56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,911,572 5/1933 2,548,408 4/1951 921,559 5/1909 1,138,030 5/1915 2,152,431 3/1939 2,179,595 11/1939 2,494,746 1/1950 2,579,783 12/1951 Branto 1. 128/70 UX 3,042,025 7/1962 Jackson 128/70 X 3,005,633 10/1961 Riemer 272/58 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,538,459 7/1968 France 128/74 Primary Examiner-Richard CtPinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard .I. Apley Alt0rney-lessup & Beecher [57] ABSTRACT An exercising device is provided in which two platforms are pivotally mounted on a support frame for individual angular movement about respective pairs of transverse axes, and in which the two platforms are pivotally interconnected through a universal coupling joint so as to provide limited radial movement of the platforms, limited up and down movement, limited lateral and diagonal movement, and any combinations thereof, for more effective exercising and slimming of the person using the device, particularly at the waist area.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures IEXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Waist, side and hip bending exercises may be performed on exercising devices which support the body on two platforms which are pivotally mounted on a frame and pivotally interconnected with one another. In the prior art devices, the two platforms are usually mounted on a support frame to be individually pivotally movable about respective spaced and parallel horizontal axes; and the two platforms are hinged to one another.

In the improved exercising device of the present invention, however, more flexible exercising capabilities are provided by mounting the individual platforms on the frame for angular movement about corresponding vertical axes, in addition to the aforesaid pivotal movement about the corresponding horizontal axes. In addi tion, the platforms of the present invention are interconnected with one another through a universal joint to permit the aforesaid lateral, up and down, diagonal, and other relative movements of the individual platforms, for increased exercising flexibility of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of an exercising device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1, showing angular movements of the platforms included in the device about corresponding horizontal axes;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, and showing one of the platforms in an exploded relationship with the frame of the device;

FIG. 4 is a view of a T-shaped coupling bracket which is pivotally mounted on the underside of each of the platforms of the device of FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 4 being taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

F IG. 5 is a view of support brackets which are formed on the underside of each of the platforms of the device at the adjacent ends thereof, for receiving the components of the universal joint which interconnects the two platforms; and 7 FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of the universal coupling assembly which, as mentioned above, serves to interconnect the two platforms used in the exercising device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As shown in the accompanying drawing, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of platforms 10 and 12 which are supported on a tubular frame 14. The platforms l0 and 12 may be formed, for example, of wood, and may be padded and shaped for comfort. The platform 10 is shown longer than the platform 12, and is intended to support, for example, the lower part of the body of the person using the device. It will be appreciated that the platforms may be made of other appropriate materials and may, for example, be of a tubular construction with canvas or other fabric affixed thereto and serving as a supporting web.

The tubular frame 14 is of a resilient nature, and is appropriately shaped so as to provide a stable support for the platforms l0 and 12. The frame is made up, for example, of two U-shaped tubular sections which fit into short tube sections 13 and 15, each in the form of an inverted V, that in turn are welded to a respective pair of tubular vertical sockets 16 and 18. The frame 14 is shaped so that the sockets 16 and 18 are preferably brought into vertical alignment when the device is in the at rest position, so that all the desired movement of the platforms may be carried out in an unimpeded manner. The sockets 16 and 18 are preferably separate from the frame 14, to permit the frame to be disassembled for storing and shipping purposes.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 a T-shaped bracket, composed of a head 20 and a leg 27, is connected to platform 10. A similar T-shaped bracket composed of head 21 and a leg (not shown) is connected to platform 12. The head 20 is rotatably mounted within, sockets 22 and .24 with the head 21 being rotatably mounted in a similar manner within sockets, only socket 29 being shown. Socket 22 is fixedly mounted to a plate 23 which is fixedly mounted by screw fasteners 31 to platform 10. Socket 24 is similarly fixedly mounted to a plate 25 which is attached by fasteners 33 to platform 10. In a similar manner socket 29 is fixedly attached to a plate 35 which is secured to the platform 12. The opposite socket (not shown) is fixedly attached to a plate 37 which is fixedly connected to the platform 12. It is believed to be readily apparent from the foregoing that the heads 20 and 21 are capable of rotational movement within their respective pair of sockets with respect to its respective platform.

Leg 27 is adapted to be located within socket l6 and be rotatable in respect thereto. In order to facilitate low frictional rotational movement between the leg 27 and the socket 16, a bearing 39 may be located therebetween. In a similar manner the leg of the other T- shaped bracket which is connected to the head 21 is to be rotatably mounted within socket 18. A bearing similar to bearing 39 may be locatedbetween the leg and the socket 18. As a result, each of the platforms 10 and 12 are capable of rotational movement around a re spective horizontal axis represented by the longitudinal axis of heads 20 and 21. Also, the platforms l0 and 12 are capable of rotational movement about respective vertical axes represented by the longitudinal axes of the legs of their respective T-shaped bracket.

The adjacent ends of the platforms 10 and 12 are interconnected by a universal joint 26 which may include, for example, rods 28 and 30. The rod 28 is supported in sockets 32 (FIG. 5), the sockets being welded to a plate 34 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of the platform 10. Similar sockets for receiving the rod 30 are welded to a similar plate 36, which is welded to the underside of the platform 12. The universal joint 26 may be covered, for example, by a flexible tubular cover 50 composed of rubber or plastic material.

The horizontal axis of rotation of the head 21 is preferably slightly higher than that of the head 20, so that the person using the device is normally supported in a plane which is inclined slightly to the horizontal. Bracing bars, such as the bars 50 in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be provided for the frame, if so desired.

It will be appreciated that the person using the exercising device illustrated in the drawing not only can cause the platforms l0 and 12 to rotate in opposite directions about-the horizontal axes of rotation of the head 20 and 21, as is the case with the prior art devices, but also can cause the platforms 10 and 12 to rotate about the individual vertical axes in the sockets l6 and 18. Also, the movements of the platforms cause the pivot points of the individual platforms to move toward and away from one another, against the resilience of the frame 14, so that the person using the device can bring about larger deflections against the resilience of the frame for increased exercising exertions.

The resilient, spring-like quality of the frame 14 will accommodate the aforesaid extensions and contractions. The inner ends of the platforms 10 and 12 are shaped to provide clearance, as the platforms are turned in opposite directions about their individual ver tical axes, as shown. The particular type of universal joint is shown in FIG. 6, although other types are available on the market and may be used.

To use the device, a person lies on the platforms 10 and 12, with the hips and legs on the long platform 10, and with the upper body on the shorter platform 12. The outer edges of either platform may be gripped by the hands of the user. The universal joint 26 will be at the waist area, thus encouraging the user to bend at the waist, where the exercising is most effective.

As mentioned above, the universal coupling 26, in conjunction with the vertical and horizontal pivotal coupling to the frame 14 permits radial movement of the platforms 10 and 12 in any direction, up, down, sideways, circularly, diagonally, or in a figure-eight, as desired, and also any combination of such movements. This action is particularly effective for exercising, strengthening and slimming the waist area.

It will be appreciated, of course, that although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended to cover all such modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

I. An exercising device comprising:

a supporting frame;

, a first platform mounted by a first meanson said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another, said first means located intermediate the longitudinal length of said first platform;

a second platform mounted by a second means on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another, said second means located intermediate the longitudinal length of said second platform; and

a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform.

2. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said axes of each of said first and second pairs are disposed perpendicular to one another.

3. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

4. The exercising device defined in claim 3, in which said first means and said second means at each said vertical axis includes a substantially vertical socket.

5. The exercising device defined in claim 3, in which said horizontal axis of said first pair and said horizontal axis of said second pair define a generally horizontal plane.

6. The exercising device defined in claim 4 wherein:

said first means includes a first T-shaped member pivotally mounted to said first platform and received in one of said vertical sockets, said second means includes a second T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said second platform and received in the other of said vertical sockets.

7. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said frame is composed of resilient tubular members.

8. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which the aforesaid platforms are of unequal length. i

9. An exercising device comprising:

a supporting frame;

a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform;

said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis;

the mounting at each said vertical axis comprises a substantially vertical socket; and

said frame comprises a base section and two upright sections, and wherein said substantially vertical sockets are mounted at the upper portion of each said upright section.

10. An exercising device comprising:

a supporting frame;

a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform;

said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis; and

said frame comprises a pair of bent tubular members positioned adjacent to one another, and which includes a pair of vertical tubular sockets mounted on said frame spaced from one another.

11. An exercising device comprising:

a supporting frame;

a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

- a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another;

a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform; and

said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis;

saidframe comprises a pair of bent tubular members positioned adjacent to one another, and which includes a pair of vertical tubular sockets mounted on said frame spaced from one another; and

a first T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said first platform and received in one of said tubular sockets, and a second T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said second platform and received in the other of said tubular sockets. 

1. An exercising device comprising: a supporting frame; a first platform mounted by a first means on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another, said first means located intermediate the longitudinal length of said first platform; a second platform mounted by a second means on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another, said second means located intermediate the longitudinal length of said second platform; and a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform.
 2. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said axes of each of said first and second pairs are disposed perpendicular to one another.
 3. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.
 4. The exercising device defined in claim 3, in which said first means and said second means at each said vertical axis includes a substantially vertical socket.
 5. The exercising device defined in claim 3, in which said horizontal axis of said first pair and said horizontal axis of said second pair define a generally horizontal plane.
 6. The exercising device defined in claim 4 wherein: said first means includes a first T-shaped member pivotally mounted to said first platform and received in one of said vertical sockets, said second means includes a second T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said second platform and received in the other of said vertical sockets.
 7. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which said frame is composed of resilient tubular members.
 8. The exercising device defined in claim 1, in which the aforesaid platforms are of unequal length.
 9. An exercising device comprising: a supporting frame; a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform; said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis; the mounting at each said vertical axis comprises a substantially vertical socket; and said frame comprises a base section and two upright sections, and wherein said substantially vertical sockets are mounted at the upper portion of each said upright section.
 10. An exercising device comprising: a supporting frame; a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform; said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis; and said frame comprises a pair of bent tubular members positioned adjacent to one another, and which includes a pair of vertical tubular sockets mounted on said frame spaced from one another.
 11. An exercising device comprising: a supporting frame; a first platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a first pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a second platform mounted on said frame for angular movement thereon about a second pair of axes extending transversely to one another; a universal joint interconnecting said first platform and said second platform; and said axes of each of said first and second pairs comprise a horizontal axis and a vertical axis; said frame comprises a pair of bent tubular members positioned adjacent to one another, and which includes a pair of vertical tubular sockets mounted on said frame spaced from one another; and a first T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said first platform and received in one of said tubular sockets, and a second T-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of said second platform and received in the other of said tubular sockets. 